Chapter 3
My bare face popped up on camera, my hair a little messy, but somehow it just made me look even hotter.
Within seconds, the chat was blowing up.
One commented: [Damn, this chick is gorgeous!]
Another commented: [Looks like we're in for a show. Catfight between two hotties? Way more fun than watching some cat drama.]
Amy sneered, "So it really is you, you little bitch.
"Clinging to Marcus like a leech, and now you've even trained your cat to steal my stuff. No wonder people say pets are just like their owners. Both of you are nothing but trash."
I took a deep breath and protested, "That's clearly Taffy's collar—"
But Amy didn't give me a chance to explain. She slammed the iron down, and Taffy let out a blood-curdling scream.
"No! How much do you want? I'll pay you anything," I screamed, my eyes going red with rage.
Taffy had been by my side since she was little. She wasn't just a pet. She was my family.
Watching her suffer, I couldn't hold back my tears. It felt like my heart was being ripped apart.
Amy saw me falling apart and grinned wickedly. She said, "I don't need your money. Why don't we play a little game instead, you little bitch?
"Let's do a live face-off. Every round you lose, I'll brand the word 'bitch' onto this little creature.
"If you win, I'll spare her pathetic life."
I was drowning in despair.
I didn't even have the right to say no.
The showdown kicked off, and gifts just kept flooding in for Amy. I was begging, practically groveling, but nobody even looked my way.
The chat was going wild, everyone just eating up the chaos.
One commented: [Take it off! Take it off!]
Another commented: [You really think you can have it all, you little bitch? Want gifts and still keep your pride? As if!]
There was no way I could win this: defeat was certain. I had no other choice. My hands shook as I fumbled with the buttons.
If this was the only way to save Taffy... I shut my eyes tight and started undoing the buttons, one by one.
Suddenly, the screen exploded with colorful fireworks.
My hands froze. I was so moved that I nearly burst into tears.
It was Zack and his crew, spamming the screen with gift animations.
One viewer commented: [Damn, looks like she's got some people backing her up, too.]
Another commented: [A bunch of nameless accounts—did she hire paid bots or something?]
Marcus's guys tracked down the IPs.
Marcus commented: [Do you know Zack Taylor?]
I didn't respond, just squeezed my eyes shut and prayed as hard as I could for Taffy to be safe.
When I didn't answer, Marcus just scoffed.
He commented: [So you're stripping on stream for attention, shamelessly cozying up to some sugar daddy? Anna, you really are something else.]
Amy pinned that comment right at the top of the chat.
The massive, glaring words hung above the livestream, every second roasting me in front of everyone, like I was being judged nonstop.
My chest felt tight, like I was suffocating, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the PK progress bar.
Bit by bit, the victory was starting to swing in my favor.
But at the very last second, just as the PK was about to end, Marcus made his move.
He sent 520 Romantic Cruise gifts, shattering every hope I had left.
I just stood there, frozen, like I'd been tossed into a freezer.
Zack and his crew had no idea about the whole "sniping the win at the last second" move in PK battles, and they never saw it coming that Marcus would go that far.
Marcus didn't care if Taffy got hurt, as long as it made Amy smile.
I lost.
Amy was laughing so hard that she was nearly in tears. She said, "Stripped yourself of everything you had to offer, and you still ended up losing to me.
"After servicing so many guys, can you even stand up straight anymore?"
Her grin turned downright cruel as she snatched up Taffy. She said, "A deal's a deal. Time to face the consequences."
At first, Taffy was screaming and kicking her legs wildly in the air, but after a minute, she went completely still.
Someone commented: [Looks like the little thing's dead.]
Another commented: [Boring! Can't even handle a little rough stuff. Let's bail.]
The viewer count started dropping like a rock. Everyone was already off to find something more exciting.
Amy started to panic. She grabbed Taffy and shoved her whole body underwater. She shouted, "Quit playing dead."
Taffy choked on water and started thrashing wildly again.
Amy glared, cursing, "I knew it. This little beast was just faking it.
"Just like her owner: both of you need to be taught a lesson. Since she's not dead yet, the punishment goes on."
Amy's eyes, burning with pure malice, locked onto me as she held the red-hot iron up high.
It felt like my heart was being ripped to shreds. I couldn't hold it together anymore. I burst into tears, shouting, "Please, just let her go. I'll take whatever you want, just let her go."
When I saw that wicked grin spread across Amy's face, I knew I'd just played right into her hands.
Marcus came himself to get me, his guys in tow.
My hands were tied tight, my eyes were blindfolded, and a filthy, stinking rag was stuffed in my mouth.
I was still trying to fight back, but then Marcus said something that made my heart completely shatter.
Marcus said, "Looks like Amy's really enjoying herself for once.
"Anna, if you step aside and let Amy win, maybe I'll consider marrying you."